U.S. employees are more optimistic when it comes to the economy, job market, and their personal employment situations as confidence hit 55.5 in March, according to the latest Randstad Employment Report.

This also represents the third month of consecutive increases from 53.9 in February.

"Despite gas prices being one of the biggest concerns on the minds of workers, we remain pleasantly surprised with the steady increases seen in overall worker confidence," says Joanie Ruge, senior vice president and chief employment analyst for Randstad US Holding. "It seems as though optimism in the employment picture is outweighing any mixed signals being given by other economic reports. In fact, the Index confirms from a frontline perspective an optimistic and hopeful outlook around the number job openings, job stability and the future strength of companies. Although the latest Index still remains five points below the historical high, it also stands 15.4 points higher than our Index's all-time low of 40.1 in January 2007. We remain hopeful that this trend will continue."